|
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- June 2 -- Rep. Waxman wrote to General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to request additional information on the 325 investigations into detainee mistreatment that were referenced by Myers in a recent news report. The text of the letter follows: June 2, 2005 General Richard Myers Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff 9999 Joint Staff Pentagon Washington, DC 20318-9999 Dear General Myers: In the past few weeks, allegations of abusive U.S. detention practices have continued to mount. Last week, in releasing its annual report, Amnesty International harshly criticized practices at Guantanamo and other detention centers.[1] The New York Times ran a chilling two-part series on May 20 and 22 regarding atrocities allegedly committed at the Bagram facility in Afghanistan that led to the deaths of two individuals.[2] And a U.S. military investigation in the past few weeks found a number of incidents in which U.S. military guards or interrogators mishandled the Koran.[3] When asked about such reports last Sunday, you asserted: We've had 325 investigations into allegations of mistreatment of detainees. A hundred of those have come back substantiated. There's still some pending, but a hundred have come back substantiated and action has been taken in a hundred cases where people have either been court-martialed, if it's been very serious like a death, or if it's minor it may be a less punishment.[4] I am writing to seek additional information on your statement. Specifically, I request a description of the 325 allegations investigated, the findings of these 325 investigations, and what actions were taken as a result of the investigations, including the names and ranks of the individuals punished and the nature of their punishment. It is imperative that the Administration respond promptly and thoroughly to questions raised about U.S. conduct to assure the public here and abroad that the United States is handling detentions in a responsible and humane manner. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Henry A. Waxman Ranking Minority Member -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Amnesty International, Amnesty International Report (2005). [2] In U.S. Report, Brutal Details of 2 Afghan Inmates' Deaths, New York Times (May 20, 2005); Army Faltered in Investigating Detainee Abuse, New York Times (May 22, 2005). [3] E.g, Inquiry: 5 Cases of 'Mishandling' of Koran, Boston Globe (May 27, 2005). [4] Face the Nation, CBS (May 29, 2005). ###
| 
Printer Friendly Version
E-Mail This Article
